Seattle Information Technology

All eBay users should change their passwords immediately. Due to a security breach, customer account information for eBay’s millions of users has been compromised. To reset your password, here is the eBay password-reset page link .

In a post yesterday on the company’s official blog, eBay said the “database, which was compromised between late February and early March, included eBay customers’ name, encrypted password, email address, physical address, phone number and date of birth. ” You can read the rest of the blog here.

According to reports and the company, the breach did not affect PayPal systems. However, eBay and PayPal are affiliated entities and you might also consider changing your PayPal password. It is always best to use a unique password for every online account.

Users should be especially wary of “phishing” attacks. Just like during other major events, criminals will use keywords such as “eBay” and “password change” to lure victims into clicking malicious links in emails. Don’t get tricked – never click links in emails. Instead, type the website name into your browser for safety.

Potential email scams, fake antivirus and phishing attacks regarding the Japan earthquake and the tsunami disasters are likely to start appearing in City e-mail. Scams may contain links or attachments which may direct users to phishing or malware-laden websites. Fake antivirus attacks may come in the form of pop-ups which flash security warnings and ask the user for credit card information. Phishing emails and websites requesting donations for bogus for charitable organizations commonly appear after these types of natural disasters.

If you wish to donate to disaster relief, do not follow links in unsolicited e-mail messages. Use a reputable organization’s site like the International Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders, etc.

Cyberattack-alert system could be model for U.S.
Washington state system alerts for cyberattacks, botnets, comprised desktops
By Ellen Messmer, Network World | March 08, 2011 08:54 AM ET

An ambitious project to create a statewide cyber-alert “early warning” system in the state of Washington to link with the federal Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is starting to take shape and could be a cybersecurity monitoring model for other states.

The “Public Regional Information Security Event Management” system (PRISEM) is designed to offer an online early warning about everything from botnet incursions on compromised desktops to possible full-fledged cyber-attacks from terrorists. As now designed, PRISEM will use customized security and information event management (SIEM) equipment from NitroSecurity that’s being kept at the University of Washington’s Applied Physics Lab where researchers will assist on the project, says Michael Hamilton, CISO of Seattle.

On Thursday, November 18, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM, many computer learning centers in Central and South Seattle will be hosting events to help community members Get Online!

There will be activities and demonstrations on many topics, including: social networking, posting/viewing photos online, paying bills online, using email, accessing wireless networks, using Skype to make free phone calls, and using the internet safely.

If you’re comfortable helping people use the web to do simple tasks like set up email accounts and perform searches, we’d love to have you as a volunteer! You can volunteer for one 2-hour session (4-6 PM or 6-8 PM) or help out for the entire event. For more information on the event and to view the list of participating locations, see our Get Online! page. Sign up to volunteer by filling out this online form.